Device for translational driving of a scraping member

Abstract

A device for translating a scraper of droppings covering a corridor of a livestock building. The device includes a chain secured to the scraper, a first sprocket secured to a first end of the chain and a second sprocket secured to a second end of the chain. The first sprocket is rotated by a first motor and the second sprocket is rotated by a second motor in the opposite direction of the first sprocket. A controller controls power supply to the motors and takes states including: a driving state of the scraper in a first direction, wherein the first motor is supplied with power and the power supply of the second motor is cut off; and a driving state of the scraper in a direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the second motor is supplied with power and the power supply of the first motor is cut off.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for driving in a translational motion a scraping member of at least a portion of droppings covering a corridor of a livestock building, comprising:
 a first chain portion having a proximal free end at a first end location and a distal end configured to be secured to the scraping member; 
 a second chain portion having a proximal free end at a second end location and a distal end configured to be secured to the scraping member; 
 a first traction module positioned at the first end location on a first side of the scraping member and comprising:
 a first motor; 
 a first sprocket secured substantially to the first chain portion and rotated by the first motor; 
 an active state in which the first motor rotates the first sprocket to pull the first chain portion in a first translational direction, toward the first end location; and 
 an inactive state; 
 
 a second traction module positioned at the second end location on a second, opposite side of the scraping member and comprising:
 a second motor; 
 a second sprocket secured substantially to the second chain portion and rotated by the second motor; 
 an active state in which the second motor rotates the second sprocket to pull the second chain portion in a second translational direction which is opposite to the first translational direction, toward the second end location; and 
 an inactive state; and 
 
 a controller, which is connected to operate the first and second traction modules and comprises at least two states:
 a driving state of said scraping member in the first translational direction, in which the controller operates the first traction module in the active state and the second traction module in the inactive state; and 
 a driving state of said scraping member in the second translational direction opposite to said first direction, in which the controller operates the first traction module in the inactive state and the second traction module in the active state. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The driving device according to the  claim 1 , wherein said first motor and said second motor are geared motors. 
     
     
       3. The driving device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first pulley for guiding said first chain portion, mounted between said first sprocket and a length of the first chain portion to be secured to said scraping member. 
     
     
       4. The driving device according to  claim 3 , further comprising a second pulley for guiding said second chain portion, mounted between said second sprocket and a length of the second chain portion to be secured to said scraping member. 
     
     
       5. The driving device according to  claim 3 , wherein said first sprocket, said first motor and said first pulley are mounted on a first one-piece bracket. 
     
     
       6. The driving device according to  claim 5 , further comprising a hook on said first one-piece bracket. 
     
     
       7. The driving device according to  claim 1 , a tray positioned at an outlet of the first sprocket to collect the proximal free end and a length of said first chain portion when said first traction module is in the active state, with the first sprocket being rotated by the first motor. 
     
     
       8. The driving device according to  claim 1 , wherein said sprockets have a plurality of fork-shaped protrusions adapted each for receiving a link of said chain. 
     
     
       9. The driving device according to  claim 1 , wherein an axis of said first sprocket and an axis of a shaft of said first motor are horizontal. 
     
     
       10. The driving device according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second chain portions together form a chain, which is secured substantially in its middle to said scraping member. 
     
     
       11. The driving device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises the scraping member. 
     
     
       12. The driving device according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first traction module further comprises a first chain tub positioned at an outlet of the first sprocket to collect a length of the first chain portion when the first traction module is in the active state; and 
 the second traction module further comprises a second chain tub positioned at an outlet of the second sprocket to collect a length of the second chain portion when the second traction module is in the active state. 
 
     
     
       13. A device for driving in a translational motion a scraping member of at least a portion of droppings covering a corridor of a livestock building, comprising:
 a first traction module positioned on a first side of the scraping member and comprising:
 a first chain portion configured to be secured to the scraping member; 
 a first motor; 
 a first sprocket secured substantially to the first chain portion and rotated by the first motor; 
 an active state in which the first motor rotates the first sprocket to pull the first chain portion in a first translational direction; 
 an inactive state; and 
 a first chain tub positioned at an outlet of the first sprocket to collect a length of the first chain portion when the first traction module is in the active state; 
 
 a second traction module positioned on a second, opposite side of the scraping member and comprising:
 a second chain portion configured to be secured to the scraping member; 
 a second motor; 
 a second sprocket secured substantially to the second chain portion and rotated by the second motor; 
 an active state in which the second motor rotates the second sprocket to pull the second chain portion in a second translational direction which is opposite to the first translational direction; 
 an inactive state; and 
 a second chain tub positioned at an outlet of the second sprocket to collect a length of the second chain portion when the second traction module is in the active state; 
 
 a controller, which is connected to operate the first and second traction modules and comprises at least two states:
 a driving state of said scraping member in the first translational direction, in which the controller operates the first traction module in the active state and the second traction module in the inactive state; and 
 a driving state of said scraping member in the second translational direction opposite to said first direction, in which the controller operates the first traction module in the inactive state and the second traction module in the active state.